[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 18, 1995)] [Notices] [Page 19408] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 95-9491] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Notice of Inventory Completion for Native American Human Remains and Associated Funerary Objects in the Control of the Ojai Valley Historical Society and Museum, Ojai, CA AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Notice is hereby given under provisions of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, 25 U.S.C. 3003 (d), of the completion of an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects from the site designated CA-Ven 132 and currently in the control of the Ojai Valley Historical Society and Museum. A detailed inventory and assessment of the human remains and associated funerary objects has been made by the staff of the Ojai Valley Historical Society and Museum in consultation with representatives of the Santa Ynez Band of Mission Indians. The human remains consist of a minimum of 180 individuals. There are also 12,118 funerary objects, including shell, stone, and trade beads and pendants; projectile points; crystals; stone bowls; scrapers; fish hooks; copper pitcher; bone, wooden, and metal awls; square iron nails; shark's teeth; metal bowl fragments; stone balls; clay tiles; and pestle and mortars. The human remains and associated funerary objects were excavated in 1969 by Robert O. Browne at CA-Ven 132 (Awhay village site), located on private property near Ojai, CA. The human remains and associated funerary objects were accessioned into the collections of the Ojai Valley Museum that same year. CA-Ven 132 has been identified as Awhay, a Chumash village occupied during the historic period. All archeological evidence indicates that these human remains and associated funerary objects were interred during this historic period occupation of the site. 11,599 of the objects were shell, stone and trade beads believed to be parts of necklaces and bracelets or other objects of personal adornment placed with the remains. Mortuary practices documented by Mr. Browne are consistent with those used by the Chumash tribe during the historic period. Genealogical evidence shows that families from the Awhay village site relocated to the Santa Inez Mission during the Spanish period and are presently members of the Santa Inez Band of Mission Indians. Inventory of the human remains and review of the accompanying documentation indicate that no known individuals were identifiable. Based on the above information, officials of the Ojai Valley Historical Society and Museum have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), there is a relationship of shared group identity which can be reasonably traced between these human remains and associated funerary objects and the Santa Ynez Band of Mission Indians. Further, officials of the Ojai Valley Historical Society and Museum have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (2), there is a relationship of shared group identity which can be reasonably traced between these human remains and associated funerary objects and the present-day Santa Ynez Band of Mission Indians. At the request of the Santa Ynez Band of Mission Indians, the Ojai Valley Historical Society and Museum has transferred these human remains and associated funerary objects to the Repository for Archaeological and Ethnographic Collections (RAEC), Department of Anthropology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA. The RAEC has accepted this collection for curation under the condition that the Santa Ynez Band of Mission Indians retains control of this collection. This notice has been sent to officials of the Santa Ynez Band of Mission Indians. Representatives of any other Indian tribe which believes itself to be culturally affiliated with these human remains and associated funerary objects should contact Mary K. Porter, Curator, Ojai Valley Historical Society and Museum, P.O. Box 204, Ojai, CA 93024, telephone (805) 646-0445 before May 18, 1995. Repatriation of these human remains and associated funerary objects to the Santa Ynez Band of Mission Indians may begin after that date if no additional claimants come forward. Dated: April 7, 1995. Francis P. McManamon, Departmental Consulting Archeologist, Chief, Archeological Assistance Division. [FR Doc. 95-9491 Filed 4-17-95; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-70-F